Use non-violence to fight crime – MoBay residents
Residents of four inner-city communities in Montego Bay, namely, Mount Salem, Flankers, Salt Spring and Norwood, have suggested that the country tackle the problem of crime and violence using a healthcare approach, in which the focus would be on preventing, rather than punishment.
The residents made the recommendations at the peace building action workshops held in Montego, which were organised by the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), at the Altamont West Hotel on April 11 and 12.
“I think more and more, those who have been studying this phenomenon (crime and violence) have come to the conclusion that the traditional, moral and legal approaches to crime and violence have not worked because the focus has to be heavily placed on prevention,” said the Reverend Everton Jackson, board chairman of the Peace Management Initiative in western Jamaica.
DIFFERENT APPROACH
Jackson believes that “the more you punish, the more violent people are becoming”, so a different approach is suggested.
“One person, for example, is advocating for taking a healthcare approach to violence prevention, in that we don’t punish illnesses,” he said.
He further suggested that the problem also be addressed from a theological approach.
Alicia Spence, a resident from Flankers and programme manager of the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre, said that the peace-building strategies being employed in that community focus on the youths.
“We try to get these youngsters to focus on things that are important, such as education and recreational activities. Our programmes are geared towards young people to encourage them to see their communities in a positive light,” she said.
The Montego Bay workshops were the final in the peace-building series of workshops organised by the VPA.